According to Soccer By Ives, fifty-eight of the seventy venues contacted by the United States Soccer Federation have expressed interest in hosting World Cup matches. The twelve venues that expressed no interest are all NCAA (American) football venues.

Of the remaining stadiums there are many that I have questions about, specifically their ability to fit an international sized pitch. I know that the field can be raised at the expense of some sections of seating but I don't really think FIFA or the USSF wants to do that this time.

Well, it is good to see interest from so many cities anyway.

The USSF recently released a list of potential venues it is studying to host World Cup matches if the United States is awarded either the 2018 or 2022 World Cup by FIFA. Some of the venues listed are obvious, some are mind-boggling.

With that said, here's my fantasy World Cup bid: [Non corporate name required for WC]

Pod A (East) -

• Meadowlands Stadium (East Rutherford, New Jersey): As it serves the largest city in the country this is an obvious choice.
• Lincoln Financial Field [Philadelphia WC Stadium] (Philadelphia, PA): It was between Philadelphia and Foxborough, I picked Philadelphia though I have nothing against New England.
• New Stadium (Washington, District of Columbia)*: You'd expect the national capital to host matches but DC's treatment of DC United is nothing short of shameful. After bending over backwards to steal the baseball Nationals from Montreal and then build them a stadium the District has treated United, a championship team, like a second-class citizen and if they continue to do so...
• Bank of America Stadium [Carolina Stadium] (Charlotte, North Carolina)*: Charlotte should step in and host in DC's place if the mistreatment of United continues. Charlotte is a capable host (indeed, it plays host to 300,000 visitors twice for events a year and has hosted numerous basketball finals) and a very willing host. Charlotte has gone above and beyond to make people attending special events feel at home. Quietly, with four solid USL teams, North Carolina is one of the homes of American soccer.

Pod B (South) -

• Dolphin Stadium (Miami Gardens, Florida): Again, an obvious choice given Miami's appeal to tourists and Americans alike. The very cosmopolitan city would be a great fit.
• Reliant Stadium [Houston WC Stadium] (Houston, Texas): Houston was actually questionable for me because it's seemingly adverse to mass transit (a MUST during a major event like this). But it is a very, very large city and it would be insane to leave it out.
• LP Field [The Nashville Coliseum] (Nashville, Tennessee): I picked this over Atlanta and Birmingham. Birmingham was my second choice. Nashville and Birmingham seem to embrace soccer events and have stadiums that can actually host internationals. Birmingham is in a dodgy financial situation and wouldn't be able to upgrade Legion Field so Nashville got the nod.

Pod C (Heartland) -

• Soldier Field (Chicago, Illinois): A very obvious choice. Chicago has always been supportive of international events and the second city would welcome the World Cup with open arms.
• New Cowboys Stadium [Arlington WC Stadium] (Arlington, Texas): I have to admit, I think it's a tacky monument to excess. But it has to be included. I still love the Cotton Bowl though.
• Lucas Oil Stadium [Indianapolis WC Stadium] (Indianapolis, Indiana): A great venue, and like Charlotte, a very willing host.

Pod D (West) -

• Rose Bowl (Pasadena, California): A heavy refurbishment would be required but the most storied venue in the American game cannot be forgotten.
• Qwest Field [Seattle WC Stadium] (Seattle, Washington): Seattle is a soccer hotbed and a wonderful city. It's a natural fit for matches.
• University of Phoenix Stadium [Glendale WC Stadium] (Glendale, Arizona): A great venue.

Knockout round assignments -

• Eighthfinals: Glendale, Houston, DC/Charlotte, Indianapolis, Nashville, Chicago, Pasadena, East Rutherford
• Quarterfinals: Chicago, Seattle, Philadelphia, Miami Gardens
• Semifinals: Arlington, East Rutherford
• Consolation: Miami Gardens
• Final: Pasadena

I understand that Pasadena would be an unpopular choice with many for the final, but it was either that or Chicago. While New York and Dallas would be glamor venues the soul of the American game isn't there, it is in LA.

As I said, while it may be an obvious host, the USSF and FIFA should punish DC if it's treatment of United continues as it is. Charlotte has proven it's mettle in the past and would not let them down as a reserve host. Other cities to be considered are obviously Foxborough, Orlando, Tampa, Stanford, and Minneapolis.

So, what would you change? Would you kill me for making these suggestions?

My joints hurt. But you don't care.

Lots of people wrote MLS previews last week and this week, and with good reason as the recent wave of expansion has given the league a nice boost. MLS seems to be bucking a trend among the top divisions in American sports and is actually holding together well, and in some ways thriving, during the recession.

I think the USL will have a nice season too. The reason I think this is because of ticket prices. The USL offers minor league ticket prices because it is, in some ways, a minor league. In reality the correct term would be "lower divisions", but most associated with American sports aren't used to the terminology.

Some of the teams in the "major sports" have been forced to slice ticket prices, indeed so has NASCAR. Soccer in America traditionally offers lower ticket prices, and despite times being tight, people still want entertainment, this is why MLS is reaping the rewards.

Another boon for the USL this season might be the success of it's teams in the CONCACAF Champions League. The league's biggest name, the Montreal Impact, made it to the quarterfinals before spectacularly crashing out at the hands of Mexican side Santos Laguna in Torreon. The Puerto Rico Islanders have faired a bit better, they're currently holding a 2-0 lead in their semifinal against Cruz Azul with the second leg to be played April 7th in Mexico City.

Anyway, lets get on with it:

President Obama did not return my phone call. (No idea where the picture is from, credit if you speak up)

The USL First Division is, as the name says, the top tier of the USL. It's the American national second division. It used to be called the A-League, the Select League, among other things. Then the USL realized that "First Division" sounded, and looked, a lot better. Hopefully it's here to stay. Last year the Vancouver Whitecaps won the playoff title, and the Islanders won the season title. Both winners get a trophy but the playoff winners are the champions, so Vancouver is the defending champion.

Vancouver and Puerto Rico will again be among the favorites. Both are well coached. Montreal should present a real challenge as well. The Carolina Railhawks will look to improve on their 2008 performance, they missed the playoffs. Charleston, one of the league's seasoned clubs, could make some noise after they finished as runners up in the 2008 Open Cup (and really should have forced extra time as they had a legal goal disallowed in stoppage). Keep an eye out for new boys Cleveland and Austin. Watch for Miami FC to prop up the table after a turbulent (to say the least) off season. I pick Puerto Rico to claim the championship.

The USL Second Division is the lowest tier of professionalism in American soccer. Three of it's teams, Charlotte (who've somehow secured sponsorship from Coca-Cola), Richmond, and Wilmington are actually among the old guard of American soccer. The 2008 playoff title was claimed by Cleveland City who accepted a promotion (yes, it actually has promotion) to the First Division after Atlanta relinquished their spot in the league due to financial difficulties. Charlotte won the regular season title over Richmond on goal difference. Charlotte and Richmond have a nice rivalry and should fight it out for the title again. Crystal Palace Baltimore is another team to watch, along with Harrisburg. Western Mass operates on a very small budget and should finish in the middle of the pack. Bermuda (owned by Shaun Goater for any Man City fans reading) faces an interesting travel challenge, and fatigue may cost them again. Charlotte will win their third title.

If a USL team is in your area, it's definitely worth your time to check them out.

Well, there you are. Have a lovely day and please, watch my friend's video. Haha, sorry, it's just important to her (and therefore me).

This is intended to be extremely hypothetical.

I often hear/read arguments between fans "debating" (though it often quickly descends into insults that wouldn't be out of place in a second grade gym class) the merits of the American "franchise" system and the European "club" system.

Major League Soccer (and to a lesser extent, the United Soccer Leagues) has elected to go with the American model, and for the most part it has served them well. There is, however, one alarming feature of the modified franchise model that MLS has selected, the lack of autonomy for teams. I do understand why MLS went down this road, it's main goal has been simply to survive in a brutal environment for the sport, and it has done that.

But there is another option, and it comes from a country in a position similar to the United States both in terms of economics and acceptance of soccer. That country being Japan.

Soccer is generally better accepted in Japan than it is in the United States, but it isn't without "traditionalists" expressing displeasure about it's growing popularity. Baseball is still Japan's number one sport, though depending on who you listen to soccer may be threatening that position with real fight. A large reason behind the growth of soccer in Japan is the amazing success of the J. League, Japan's national league.

The J. League was founded in 1992 to address the problems facing Japanese football. Among those problems was a floundering national team, the Blue Samurai had never qualified to a World Cup at that point, an amateur national league playing in sub-par stadiums, and a general lack of interest from the Japanese public. The J. League was formed by clubs that had played in the amateur Japan Soccer League (which upon the foundation of the J. League became the Japan Football League, or JFL) with the important requirement that the clubs remove all corporate references in the names in an effort to better identify with the local community, or "hometown" (for example, Yomiuri FC became Verdy Kawasaki -- and later Tokyo Verdy).

While MLS has adopted a team allocation in line with those of other American sports leagues, e.g. charging a franchise fee to enter (currently at $40,000,000), the J. League picked a different route. The J. League expands through the roots of Japanese soccer, allowing already existing amateur clubs a chance to become a professional team. This is done under the guise of J. League associate membership. In order to obtain J. League associate member status clubs must meet a number of requirements including but not limited to:

• Being devoted to football (as oppose to being a billboard for a company)
• Getting the approval of the "hometown" government in writing
• Having an acceptable stadium within said "hometown"
• Must be an existing club playing in either the JFL, Regional Divisions, or Prefectural Divisions.

This, at least in my eyes, presents a fine compromise to the American and European methods. A major problem with American soccer is a lack of stability for clubs, indeed we've seen many clubs fall by the wayside due to the lack of a solid foundation. While Japan, too, has lost a club, the storied Yokohama Flügels were merged with bitter rivals Yokohama Marinos, (Ever wondered what the "F." in "F. Marinos" means? Now you know) due to financial problems. (This fusion resulted in one of the best stories of world football, Yokohama FC, but that's for another time.) I think that the "associate member" model presents a better chance for teams to gain presences within their community, and to gain a foothold in a potentially hostile environment.

Will it ever happen? More than likely not. But it's fun to think about what could happen if we had this model in the US.

Eek, sorry for the wordiness. :)

Before writing this entry I owe it to you to admit my staunch egalitarian political beliefs. I feel that we should all be egalitarians, but I won't hold it against you if you aren't.

That said, I wanted to talk about the new Women's professional soccer league that launches this year, aptly called "Women's Professional Soccer".

Little to anyone's surprise you often see American sportswriters dismissing women's sports, often in derogatory manners. It's depressing, but by now we as soccer fans are used to this treatment, and furthermore, supporters of women's sports are used to it.

However, my real problem is when fans of American soccer dismiss the league before a ball has even been kicked in anger. This only serves to undermine the growth and development of our game. The beauty of football is that it truely is the people's game, anyone can play, and anyone is welcome.

I have issues with MLS, and the way it's run. But I would never intentionally undermine it's success, as it's existance is currently important to American soccer. Likewise, believe it or not, a strong women's game is essential to the security of American soccer. America is a female nation, 52% of it's inhabitants are female, females are outpacing their male counterparts in the academic arena as well. Now, moreso than ever, is it important for American soccer to embrace it's legions of female fans and players.

Now, I understand the early skepticism. The WUSA's demise did very little to change people's minds. This comes down to the league being badly run at the top. Basic economics tells us that you simply can't pay more money than you have, it's impossible, and that's where the league ran into trouble. Hopefully the WPS will start modestly and blossom from there. After all, it is said that those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it.

So far I like the look of the league, and I'll certainly watch some matches on TV. My one reservation is with the skorts! That said, they won't be used in matches and Leslie Osbourne doesn't look bad in them ;). Anyone interested in the league should visit rbond007's blog, she's doing a good job covering the league so far.

On a final note, the Ultras Montreal have posted some fantastic pictures from the Montreal Impact's 2-0 first-leg victory over Santos Laguna this week, check them out.

DC United defeated the Charleston Battery 2-1 in the US Open Cup final on Wednesday night to claim their second Open Cup crown.

The match between two of the more tradional sides in the American game got off to a fast start with DC scoring quickly and Charleston wasting no time in finding an equalizer.

It was the introduction of Fred late in the first half that would change the game. Just after half time the substitute found his way through the Charleston defense to put DC ahead, a lead they would not relenquish despite spirited play from the South Carolina side.

The match was not without controversy however as Charleston had a stoppage time equalizer disallowed for offside, replays disagreed with the decision.

Elsewhere the Puerto Rico Islanders scored twice at the death to get by Costa Rica's Alajuelense. The Costa Ricans went ahead early but the Islanders kept their cool in order to find the two goals they needed to qualify for the group stage. The result gives the USL, two, as many teams in the Champions League as MLS. Marathon of Honduras and Cruz Azul of Mexico also advanced.

The final two preliminary matches take place tonight as Jalapa look to defend their slim lead over San Francisco in Panama, and Pumas take on Harbour View in a one-legged affair followed the cancelation of the first leg due to Hurricane Gustav.

"It's our pre-season" was the excuse uttered by Major League Soccer apologists to explain the league's ineptitude in the old CONCACAF Champions Cup that often ran between February and May. "It'd be a different story if it was in our mid-season" they said.

They were wrong.

Very wrong. MLS heaped shame upon American soccer on Tuesday by failing to beat teams from Panama and Trinidad & Tobago when Tauro eased by Chivas USA and Joe Public laid an impressive beating on the kings of choke, the New England Revolution. But what happened Tuesday night in Foxborough was not a choke-job, it was a full scale massacre. The Revs were humbled 4-0 by Joe Public, 6-1 on aggregate, Gregory Richardson hit a hat-trick for Mike McComie's charges.

Joe Public finished the 2007 TT Pro League season in third place, good enough to qualify for the CFU Club Championship, a regional competiton that determines the Caribbean's three representatives in the CONCACAF feature. This year hasn't gone quite as swimmingly for the Eastern Lions as the Macoya-based side currently find themselves sixth.

Many will point to New England's injuries and claim that as the reason for New England's loss, but what injuries can't account for is a lack of heart, a lack of desire from eleven men who are paid to play a game that billions of us play for free everyday. This type of flat, lifeless performance from professionals is simply inexcusable.

Chivas USA did manage to save a bit of face for the league, while they were beaten by Panama's Tauro, they did fight. Tauro do seem a respectable side, they finished second in Panama's ANAPROF to San Francisco who face an uphill battle to join them in the group stages as they currently trail Guatemala's Jalapa 1-0 on aggregate.

The happiest man in America tonight is United Soccer Leagues President Francisco Marcos. Marcos was sure to be watching as the USL's Montreal Impact managed a 0-0 draw away to Real Esteli in Nicaragua which after their 1-0 win at Stade Saputo assured the USL a presence in the group stage. 

Tomorrow should prove to be an interesting day at MLS HQ in New York City, and Thursday could prove even more interesting if the Puerto Rico Islanders can manage to get by Costa Rican giants Alajuelense tomorrow. But the big match will be at RFK Stadium in Washington as DC United face the Charleston Battery in the US Open Cup. DC are the darlings of MLS, and Charleston are one of the USL's most respected, and most senior clubs. Yes, tomorrow will be interesting.

Saprissa 3-0 Houston Dynamo (aggregate 3-0)

Saprissa took their home field advantage and used it to advance to their fifth CONCACAF Champions Cup final. The Purple Monster, champions of North America in 2005, took the lead in the 33rd minute when Houston defender Patrick Ianni put through his own goal after deflecting Saprissa midfielder Armando Alonso's shot under reserve goalkeeper Tony Caig. It was just one moment in a long, shaky night for the 33-year-old English goalkeeper.

Houston would have their chances to test Saprissa keeper Keilor Navas, but the man dubbed Costa Rica's goalkeeper of the future was solid and overall Houston were outshot 15-5.

In truth Houston were always going to be up against it after losing Craig Waibel to injury in the 6th minute, many will question Dominic Kinnear's logic in replacing Waibel with the right-sided midfielder Brian Mullan, who himself was carrying an injury, rather than a defender given Saprissa's attacking options.

After the second half kickoff it only took the Costa Ricans 3 minutes to put the Texans to the sword. Great interplay together with shoddy Houston defending eventually lead to Celso Borges firing in beautifully from the edge of the area. Celso Borges is only 19-years-old and is surely a player to keep an eye on in the future.

Late in the second half Houston would start to find it's legs and manage to put pressure on Saprissa, the best chance came when Brian Ching managed to shake his defender and get a shot on goal with Navas seemed to be out of position, miraculously the 21-year-old managed to make a wonderful save at full stretch to preserve the home advantage.

With 15 minutes to play Tony Caig's brain seemingly shut off as he inexplicably rushed out to meet Saprissa striker Jairo Arrieta who subsequently rounded him and tucked away his team's 3rd and final goal.

It was not all roses for Saprissa however as they lost Walter Centeno late in the second half through a freak leg injury. The extent as not yet known but the Costa Rican international was in agony as he was carried off.

While Costa Rica has recently endured a bad spell it's obvious that the future is bright for the Ticos. For all the focus on the Mexican Premera and MLS, it's worth noting that Costa Rican teams have won 2 of the last 4 Champions' Cups and could well win a fifth as Saprissa will prove a tough test for Pachuca in the final.

The first of the two ties takes place at 7:30PM EDT in Washington, DC's Robert F. Kennedy Stadium between DC United (USA) and Pachuca (Mexico). Luis Montes struck twice in the 2nd half of the 1st leg to give Pachuca a 2-0 lead.

The other tie is tightly balanced at 0-0 and will be played at Estadio Ricardo Saprissa at 10:10pm EDT, located in San Jose, Costa Rica's San Juan de Tibás neighborhood between Deportivo Sapissa (CRC) and the Houston Dynamo (USA). As I previously wrote, Houston had chance to win the 1st leg but failed to score and made it hard on themselves. Houston is a very talented team, talented enough to win in Costa Rica, but it's a very tall task. Saprissa, three times winners of the Champions Cup, are well seasoned in continental play and their fans make the Estadio Ricardo Saprissa a hard place to play. This should be a fabulous match.

The turbulence and uncertainty ahead of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa continues to cast a dark cloud over what should be a nation's coming out party. The latest episode follows a report from the British newspaper The Guardian stating that insurers were fearful about providing coverage for the event amid fears that the stadiums would not be complete on time. This report comes at a time when around 500 workers have gone on strike at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga. The estimated date of completion for the 46,000-seat stadium is mid-2009 but unless this problem is solved quickly that will surely be pushed back.

It is widely thought that the United States is the stand-by host in case the event cannot go ahead in South Africa. Certainly living in the United States I would be delighted at an opportunity to attend World Cup matches so easily, but I want South Africa to host it, I think South Africa needs to host it. Few nations have had to deal with the hardships that South Africa has and the country needs something that could give it a chance to become the great nation it has the potential to be. I think, and I hope that the 2010 World Cup would do just that. So, I wish South Africa the best of luck

Tomorrow (or today in most places) Arsenal and Liverpool will meet in what will be the second of three matches in one week's time. It's an important match for both clubs, particularly Arsenal who need a win to keep pace with league leaders Manchester United. Despite a recent slide in form Arsene Wenger believes Arsenal still have enough in the tank to capture their first championship since the 2004 season in which the Gunners went unbeaten. The Londoners will need a solid performance from Phillipe Senderos and William Gallas in the heart of defense as it seems likely Rafa Benitez will call upon Peter Crouch who has made it a habit to score against Arsenal throughout his career. Arsenal also announced that goalkeeper Manuel Almunia has signed a new contract. Lots of people question Almunia's ability, while there are many goalkeeper's I'd rather have I believe Almunia has done a respectable job.